Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the May meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services).  Members were thanked for their contribution to the Scrutiny Board’s work throughout the 2010/11 municipal year, particularly their involvement at working group meetings and the case study approach.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor W Hyde and Co-opted Members, Ms Cox, Professor Gosden and Mrs Hutchinson.

The Chair advised that Mr Granger had resigned his position as Parent Governor Representative (Primary) and a replacement representative was being sought.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st April 2011.

An amendment to Minute No. 97, Annual Standards Report – Primary Schools, 5^th bullet point under Members’ questions and comments, was agreed as follows ‘… it was advised that turnover at inner city schools was higher than at other schools. The average turnover at inner city schools was 5 years.’

RESOLVED – That subject to the amendment above, the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st April 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services presenting the final version of the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-15.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which presented the final version of the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-15.

Also appended to the report was a copy of the Equality, Diversity, Cohesion and Integration Screening form.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting the following officers:

-  Mariana Pexton, Deputy Director of Children’s Services

-  Stephen Featherstone, Performance Management Officer, Children’s Services.

Members noted that the Board’s terms of reference for next year would reflect the three ‘obsessions’ in the Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report and information appended to the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development inviting Members to agree terms of reference for the Board’s inquiry into reducing teenage conception.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which invited Members to agree terms of reference for the Board’s inquiry into reducing teenage conception.

The Scrutiny Board agreed to include reference to vulnerable and looked after children as part of the scope of the inquiry.

Members discussed the following areas:

·  The ongoing impact of teenage conception on achievement.

·  The role of the youth service, particularly in seeking the views of young people.

·  Checking whether information on international research on levels of teenage conception was readily available.

It was agreed that the proposed inquiry would be brought back for further consideration at the June Board meeting, when the work programme for the coming year was discussed.

RESOLVED – That the terms of reference for the inquiry, as amended, be approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the conclusions and recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board’s work on redesign of services for children with disabilities, special educational needs and additional health needs.

This item to be deferred to the June meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services).

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the draft of the Board’s contribution to the Scrutiny Boards’ Annual Report.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented the draft of the Board’s Annual Report.

RESOLVED – That the Board’s Annual Scrutiny Report 2010/11 be approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the notes of the working group meetings by way of reporting back on the group’s activity to the full Scrutiny Board.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented the notes of the working group meetings by way of reporting back on the group’s activity to the full Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED – That the activity undertaken by the working group in relation to the review of the children’s social care system, be noted and endorsed.

(The meeting concluded at 10.10 am.)